Colombian Leader Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Launches an Attack.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.